A SHOP dubbed “the heart of the community” has closed its doors for good after campaigners lost their fight for the trader to be included in a new urban village.

Save and Save, in Shard End Crescent, Shard End, was among the shops told to close to make way for the development in Ownall Road.

Owner George Akhtar was told he could not open a unit in the new development, part of a £27 million regeneration of the area, because his business was too similar to the Co-op there.

The lease between the Co-op and development and retail company Stoford includes an “exclusivity clause”, which restricts other food retailers from occupying any of the other units in the redeveloped parade.

Campaigners won one concession after Mr Akhtar, who has run his business for the past decade, was told he could use temporary cabin accommodation in Coneyford Road to run from – but only until the Co-op opened.

Campaigner David Pithie said: “The Co-op has now opened so Save and Save has had to close. It was a very sad day. We, as a community, want to say thank you. George and his family have been in the area for years. They have looked after the elderly and infirm as if they were their own family, nothing was too much trouble, and there was always a cheerful greeting.

“If people couldn’t get out to do their shopping for whatever reason, George would deliver it for them.

“He also sponsored football teams and did a lot of good for the community. He and his team will be sadly missed in this community. We can only wish them the very best of luck in their future.” At a public meeting held in July to discuss the future of the Save and Save store, a letter from Co-op head of corporate affairs Steven Beresford said the company was “not prepared to negotiate” over the exclusivity agreement and said the new store would provide new jobs and support for the community.

He added: “While the society can appreciate the concerns of the owners of Save and Save, the society also has to protect its own considerable interests.”